The im plications of E Schillebeeckx’s theology of liberation for anthropology and creation ABSTRACT
D J Malan
The implications of E Schillebeeckx’s theology of liberation for anthropology and creation The theology of Edward Schillebeeckx has direct relevance for the situation of violence in South Africa. Anthropology and creation are closely linked in his theology through Christology. Christology is "concentrated creation". It underscores the grace o f God as well as the responsibility of man. The negative contrast experiences of humanity calls for decisive praxis. Praxis is the precursor of theology and the function o f theology is to ascertain whether the praxis o f the church is secundam scripturas. His liberation theology helps to analyse underlying ideologies which are detrimental to human well being. His theology cautions us not to identify too easily with one or the other party or class, because the Name of God can be misused by oppressors as well as freedom fighters.
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THESIS
The thesis of this article is that the theology of prof Edward Schillebeeckx of Nijmegen has direct implications for anthropology and the integrity of creation which is highly relevant to our South African context'. The problems with which this thesis confronts us, are: Why does Schillebeeckx call his theology a theology of liberation? W hat roles do anthropology and creation play in his systematic biblical approach? What are the implications of his theology for our situation?
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METHOD AND GOAL
As an appetiser we will firstly consider his development of a full-blown Western contextual theology. This includes his view of the relationship between "liberation" and "emancipation". In the section thereafter we will scrutinise the core of his theology: Christology; it will become apparent that Christology binds together all the essential aspects of theology. In the third and final section the implications of Schillebeeckx’s theology of liberation in our South African context with regard to anthropology and creation will be expounded; we will also evaluate the theological contribution of Edward Schillebeeckx. ISSN 0257-8891 = SKRIF EN KERK Jrg 14(2) 1993
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